VA 95 Green Lizards; 1972-1995

The Third VA 95

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The third VA-95 Lineage Established as Attack Squadron Ninety Five (VA-95) on 1 April 1972. The third squadron to be assignment
the VA-95 designation.

Squadron Insignia and Nickname

The squadrons insignia was approved by CNO on 25 July 1972.

Colors for the green lizard insignia are as follows: a white scroll with black letters and a black outline of the insignia and scroll; background of the lower half is dark blue with black and yellow markings; background for the upper half is light blue with white rays outlined in black; the sun is orange with a yellow background; the lizard is green with black and yellow markings, the eye and teeth are white; and the trident is black.

Nickname:

Green Lizards, 1972-present.

Chronology of Significant Events

Apr 1973: The squadron provided support for Operation End Sweep, the clearing of mine fields along the coast of North Vietnam.

Dec 1974: on the USS CORAL SEA (CV-43). During the next seven months they became part of a Pacific “Fire Brigade”, rushing from one trouble spot to another.

Apr 1975: Squadron aircraft participated in Operation Frequent Wind, the evacuation of American personnel from Saigon. The squadron provided armed escort flights over the Saigon area for protection of the helos conducting the evacuation.

15 May 1975: The squadron participated in the recovery of the American merchant ship SS Mayaguez following its capture by Cambodian gunboats. The squadron flew sorties in support of the Marine landings on Koh Tang Island and retaliatory strikes against Cambodian targets. Squadron aircraft struck the airfield and naval facility at Ream, Cambodia. The squadrons KA-6D aircraft were used to provide tanker support for the combat sorties.

11 Jan 1986: VA-95 began another Westpac/IO cruise on ENTERPRISE. The Lizards made history again when ENTERPRISE became the first nuclear-powered carrier to transit the Suez Canal. The squadron was then called to duty in support of combat missions being flown against Libya. After two months of intense operations, ENTERPRISE headed home, transiting this time around Africa.

18–19 Apr 1988: The squadron participated in Operation Praying Mantis, retaliatory strikes against Iran after Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) struck an Iranian mine in international waters. Squadron aircraft attacked Iranian Boghammar speedboats, using Rockeye cluster bombs. They sunk one and damaged another. Later in the day, the Iranian frigate Sahand fired missiles at two of the squadrons aircraft while they were flying a surface combat air patrol for Joseph Strauss (DDG 16). The aircraft evaded the missiles and returned fire with two Harpoons and four laser-guided Skipper bombs. This attack was followed by a Harpoon firing from Joseph Strauss. The attack against the Sahand left her blazing. Eventually the fires reached her magazines, and the final explosions lead to her sinking. Following this action the sister ship of the Sahand, the Sabalan, left port and engaged several of the squadrons aircraft, firing a missile at them. One of the squadrons Intruders responded with a laser-guided bomb that hit Sabalan, and she went dead in the water. The Sabalan was taken in tow by an Iranian tug, her fantail partially submerged. VA-95’s aircraft were ordered not to continue the attack. The squadron continued to fly combat sorties during 19 April but no other action resulted.

1989—1990: VA-95’s fifth deployment on board Enterprise took the squadron through WESTPAC, the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean, and to the U.S. East Coast.

Oct–Nov 1990: After transition to the Systems Weapon Improvement Program (SWIP) version of the A-6E, the squadron rode the Abraham Lincoln's (CVN 72) cruise from the East to West Coast via Cape Horn, the squadron participated in joint exercises with the Argentinean, Chilean, and Ecuadorian Armed Forces.

The Green Lizards last three deployments were made on board Abraham Lincoln to WESTPAC, the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf, supporting Operation Southern Watch enforcing the no-fly zones over Iraq. During the first of these, the Navy's first deployment of the A-6E SWIP, VA-95 also supported Operation Fiery Vigil, the evacuation of American personnel and their dependents from Subic Bay, Philippines after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo. By this time, the squadron had retired its KA-6D tankers. The second of these deployments included operations in support of UN relief efforts in Somalia.

8 Nov 1995: NAS Whidbey Island, Wash., marked the disestablishment (officially 31 October) of Attack Squadron VA-95 after over 40 years of service. Cdr. Pieter VandenBergh was the last CO of the Green Lizards.

The officers and men of Attack Squadron NINE FIVE take great pride in the squadrons history of outstanding service to the United States.

DisclaimerThe information on this site is intended to be useful and informative for former Green Lizards and the Intruder community at large. I use reasonable care to ensure that information is accurate at the time it is added on the site. Please note, however, that I cannot guarantee the information is accurate and I cannot be liable for any losses or damage that anyone may suffer as a result of relying on this information. I reserve the right to make changes to this site at any time.